[Kenny_S]

I am not Callynn but to answer your questions,

Yes, they come ready to carve
Yes, they maintain their edge
No, they do not chip
Yes, I would recommend them.

Now, Like all tools, if you abuse them, they will need attention.

Just my 2 Abe Lincolns worth.

[Thomp]

eddy
i dont normally resemble or answer for Callynne...

but as far as the dockyard 5 gouge set i bought mine 2 years ago from rick ferry at little shavers about $8.00 each, they came sharp ready to go, 1.5mm -5mm

the 5mm loosened from the handle, epoxy fixed it,
i chipped the 3mm but was easily honed out.

i have 7 rambleson miniature palm tools u and v profiles under 5mm, but broke 2 of them off, using them too rough,

the dockyard have held up great for as much toucher as im putting them through...
yes i would recommend the gouge set, but as far as the other tools i dont know

[Kenny_S]

Oh good grief Thomp, Quit digging in the Dock-yards.

[Eddy Smiles]

Thanks guys... right now I am pondering whether to just pick up a FLexcut SK800 1mm sweep to add to my 1mm parting tool for micro work or spend the extra money and buy a full set of Dockyard micro tools. I already have about 18 Flexcut interchangeables and am very satisfied with them.... I also hate redundancy...Dang! I hate these kinds of decisions.

[Callynne]

Eddy, I love my Dockyard Micro Tools and wouldn't....couldn't.....do without them. If you want to try just one or two, instead of buying the entire set, check out this website http://www.qualitycarvingsupplies.com/store/page10.html Scroll down the page a little, it will have the V and U gouges sold seperately for $10.00 a piece.

I started out with the entire sets, but have since then only bought the single ones that I use the most. I keep them razor sharp by stropping and have only rarely damaged one.....I am a bit heavy handed sometimes! Deborah
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[Nancy_G]

I love those Dockyards so much I keep two sets of the U shaped gouges in my tool rack and two sets in my reserve stock. (They all come from Rick's Little Shavers thanks to his sharpening)
AND each tool is marked so I don't have to fumble looking for the right size. I burn the size on the handle and then paint the joint area a certain color.

On all my tools the smallest of a shape is blue, the next is green, the next is orange ...... yadda yadda. Hey, it works for me.

[Eddy Smiles]

Thanks all for your great input, suggestions and comments. I guess I'll wait until the show this weekend and see what I can find and then make up my mind then. You all have been very, very, helpful!

[Thomp]

eddy i think your going to find price about the same considering postage,
i'd settle the decision with garentee and free return sharpining like rick dose...

[Kenny_S]

Eddy, I believe it is a great investment buying a set of Dockyards.

Like Thomp said, Repeat sharpening from Rick is a plus and his Hired help is the best to talk to.
I am thinking that another set of the 1,1.5, 2,3s are in oder for this household. But then, Man cain't have enough tools, for sure.

[Eddy Smiles]

I believe you guys! I really, really do...but I don't often do mail order, reserving it for things that I absolutely need that I can't get elsewhere. I have ordered from Rick in the past but for knife blanks that I couldn't find anywhere else. As for sharpening, I'm of the mind set that if I can't sharpen my own tools then I've got no business using them in the first place. Some of my tools have a better edge than others and some have been butchered up beyond belief... I'm still learning... but my mistakes are not from a lack of not trying. Now my catawupus philosophy is not for everyone so please don't anyone take offense by it. We ain't got a lot of money and we try to stretch it pretty thin so we do a lot of things our selves where others might find it more convienient to out source the work. This is just us. But with that said I'll still be looking at the Dockyards at the show and taking your comments to heart!